Shifting apparatus



(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 1.

J. A. POTTER.

SHIFTING APPARATUS.

No. 350,444. Patented Oct. 5, 1886.

ATTDRNEYE.

N. PETERS. Phololvlhngmpher, Washinglnnv D. C.

(No Model.) 7 3 Sheets -Sheet 2.

J. A. POTTER.

SHII-TING APPARATUS.

No. 350,444; Patented Oct. 5, 1886.

M 9 Q j e (No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 3.

J. A. POTTER.

. SHIPTING APPARATUS.

Patented Oct. 5, 1886.

INVENTDR WITNESSES;

N. PETERS, Phulu-Lilhngnphnr. Wnslnnglcn. D. C.

UNIT D STATES PATENT OFFICE. 7

JOHN A. POTTER, OF OHIOAGO, ILLINOIS.

SHIFTING APPARATUS.

SIEQIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No, 350,444, dated October 5, 1886.

Application filed November 28, 1885. Serial No. 184,149. (X0 model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN A. POTTER, a resident of Chicago, in the county of Cook, State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Shifting Apparatus, Of which the following is hereby declared to be a full, clear, and exact description, sufficient to enable others skilled in the art to make and use the same.

My invention relates, generally, to devices of that class used in steel-mills, warehouses, shipping-docks, saw-mills, and like situations, to-

conveniently shift heavy burdens from one location to another without the'need ofa large number of hands, as would ordinarily be required.

The object of the invention is to'improve the construction of such devices, so that with great economy in the space occupied thereby the efficiency and simplicity in operation and use of the same will be increased, while the manipulation of the apparatus is kept within the easy management and control of a single person. The invention will be described in connection with the accompanying drawings as applied to the ingot'crane of asteel-mill; but while such particular use illustrates one very valuable application of the invention, it is by no means confined thereto, as has already been indicated; nor, indeed,is it at all essential that the crane, as such, shall constitute a part thereof. In the particular instance the gib of the crane furnishes convenient support and way for'the operative parts of the mechanism; but in other relations, especially where the burden or load is to be merely shifted back and forth, without sidewise swing, the mechanism would be permanently mounted upon a suitable sup port wholly removed from the crane and yet be fully'operative. It will be understood, further, that the special position, structure, and relation of the several machine parts, though deemed effective to the purpose in view, are by no means essentials, and may be widely varied within the skill of the mechanic, as convenencc may suggest or necessity require,without departing from the spirit of the invention.

The invention may be stated to consist in the combination, with an oscillating cylinder having trunnion-valves and suitable supply and discharge orifices therefor, of the compan-.

ion conduits communicating with said valves and with the opposite ends of'the cylinder, re-

spectively; also,in the combination, with an oscillating cylinder and with suitable-supply and discharge pipes therefor,of the controlling-valve mechanism to regulate the passage of the motive agent through said pipes and cylinder, the reciprocating piston,and the traveling carrier operated thereby, the several parts being so organized that the reciprocation of this piston will cause this cylinder to describe asingle swing in course of oscillation, and in consequence will shift the carrier from end to end in its position.

The invention further consists in providing the main oscillating cylinder of the shifting apparatus with a supplemental mechanism coacting therewith to carry the cylinder past the dead-center of its trunnion-valves.

- Certain details of structure are also included in combination in said invention, the nature of all of which will clearly appear from the subjoined description, reference being had to the drawings forming part thereof, and will be distinctly pointed out in the claims at'the conclusion of this specification.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a View inside elevation of the gib and a portion of the mast of the usual ingot-crane of a steel-mill, with the shifting apparatus, parts being in section, mounted in position thereon. Fig. 2 is aplan view of the same with the mast and controlling-valve in section. Figs. 3 and 5%,4 and 4, 5 and 5, are views in section of the opposite trlmnion-val'ves, respectively, in various po- Heretofore in the construction of cranes for use in steel-mills and in like situations it has been. proposed to extend a long cylinder from the mast of the crane in direction opposite to the crane-gib, and of about the same length therewith. The piston-rod of such cylinder being connected at its outer end with the trolley moving on the gibways, it is plain that LII said rod, upon being drawn within the cylinder, by action of the usual motive agent against the pistoirhead, would cause the trolley and its burden to advance along the gib toward the mast; and, reversely, the piston-rod, upon being forced outward from the cylinder, would push the trolley toward the extreme outer end of the gib, as desired. \Vhile this construe tion of shifting apparatus materially reduces the number of hands otherwise requisite for moving the burden to and fro along the gib, one serious objection to the use of the appara tuslies in the circumstance that the cylinder projects from the mast in position opposite from the gib, and is of about the same sweep therewith. Ample mill-space must therefore be provided, as if to allow for the swing of the gib throughout an entire circuit. This is oftentimes not only im n'acticable, because of the slope of the roof, the proximity of furnaces, cupolas, or other fixed portions of the structure, but is also quite unnecessary, the movement of the gib through a less sweep than entirely about being all that is'essential in many of the situations and uses to which the crane is applied. In the older form of crane, having no piston-shift, above described the mast could be set near some column, post, or other fixed part, and yet the gib be permitted to swing as far about as desired without interference. 3y my invention this same freedom of sweep, with compactness and economy of space, is attained at the same time that the benefits and power of the piston-shift are secured.

Extending from the upright mast A is the usual gib, 13, preferably composed of two parallel beams bolted firmly together and to the mast, and furnishing convenient ways for the wheels 0 of the trolley or carriage C. The carriage may be of any desired plan, that shown in the drawings being provided with an ordinary dependent hook,from which an ingot, ladle, bale, or other burden can be suspended. About midway of its length the trussstandards D are fastened to the gib B, saidstandards being somewhat expanded near their outer ends to furnish bearings for the trunnions e of the cylinder F. The trunnions (2 may be conveniently formed in piece with the ring 0, which latter encompasses the cylinder E, and is shrunk in place or otherwise firmly secured thereto. The hollow trunnions c are bored true to snugly receive the tubular valves 0* c", said valves being connected at their outer ends to the supply and discharge pipes 0 c which lead thence, as. shown, and are in free communication with the ports of the controlling valve F. In the familiar form exhibited by the drawings the controlling-valve is of the ordinary slide pattern, the arched cavity thereof establishing alternately an open discharge-way from one of the pipes (Pto the waste port and pipe 1, while the other pipe, 0, is being supplied from the chest of the valve and the feed-pipe 2 with the steam, water, orother motive agent necessary to the operation of the cylinder E. 13y actuating the hand-1ever f the controlling-valve F may be shifted along its'seat to a reverse position, thereby reversing the supply and discharge flow through the pipes e c in relation to the feed and waste pip'bs 2 1, and in consequence causing the piston-hcad G and its piston-rod G to be reciprocated and the cylinder 1* to be reverse] y oscillated upon its trunnions, as will hereinafter appear. In its central position the valve F closes the ports of both of the pipes 0 6 thereby shutting off the supply and dis charge through said pipes and bringing the cylinder E to a standstill. Obviously any. other suitable form of controlling-valve may be substituted for the one shown herein; or, again, each of the pipes c" may have its sepa rate controlling-valve to regulate the supply and discharge, if preferred. The pipes a a being secured to the trunnion'valves c 0", respectively, it is plain that said valves remain. in fixed position, while the inclosingtrnnnions c are turningin their boxes during the oscillation of cylinder F. From the central opening of the valve 6 lead the ports 3 4, Figs. 3, 4, 5, and from the valve 0 the ports 5 6, Figs. 3, 4., 5. Connected at opposite sides to openings in the trunnions c are the companion pipes e" Fig. 1, 2, which terminate at their front ends in the opposite ports, 7, of the cylinder E. in like connection with the trait nions c are the companion pipes c c", which terminate at their opposite ends in thcports 8 of said cylinder, Figs. 1, 2, 7.

\Vit-h the several parts in position shown by Fig. 2 of the drawings, the supply of water, steam, or other motive agent passes from valve F by pipe (2" to the central opening in trunnion -val.ve c, escaping thence through port 3 and pipe 0, as in Fig. 3, to the cylinder-port 7, communicating therewith. The piston-head G and rod G are in consequence caused to move within the cylinder, shifting the trolley inward along the gibways, and starting the cylinder 1*) to oscillate upon its trunnion -bearings. At the outset of this movement the discharge from cylinder E in advance of the piston-head is by the port 8, communicating with pipe 0, thence by trunnion-port 6, Fig. 3, valve 0", and pipe 0", to valve F and waste-pipe 1. As the oscillation proceeds, the cylinder reaches the vertical, at which juncture the piston-rod isat the extreme inward thrust, and in readiness for reverse movement, the trolley and its burden having traveled to about midway of the gib. In this position the ports 3 L of trunnioirvalve c and the ports 5 (i of trunni0n-valve c" are entirely cut off (see Figs. 5 5) from communication with the pi pcs c e and c e", leading, respect ively, to the ports 7 8 of the cylinder, so that at such dead-point the supply into and discharge from the cylinder are temporarily arrested.

Aside from the supplemental mechanism to be hereinafter detailed, which comes into operation when the dead-point is reached to IIS already detailed, no longer occurs.

shift the cylinder past the same, the momentum acquired by the burden will in ordinary practice suffice to carry the cylinder beyond, and thus enable the piston-rod to make its return-stroke and complete its reciprocating movement. During this the latter half of such movement. the supply proceeds, as before, through pipe@ to the trunnion-valved,- but the oscillation of cylinder E has caused its trunnion to close the port 3 and uncover the port 4, which latter now stands in open communication with the pipe 6 while the pipe e is shut off. The supply therefore passes from valve e and port 4 through the pipe e and its corresponding port,8,to the cylinder, pushing the piston-head G- before it and forcing the trolley to the inner or mast end of the gibway. The oscillation of the cylinder E has, however, worked a corresponding change in the relation of the ports in trunnion-valve 6. At and after passing the dead-point the discharge from the cylinder through the pipe e", 820., as

The trunnion-port 6 is now closed, Fig. 4 while the port 5 is uncovered to communicate with the pipe c,- hence the escape is bycylinder-port 7 and its pipe 0 through port 6 and trunnionvalve 6'' to pipe 6 valve F, and waste-pipe 1. The position of the several parts thus established continues for the remainder of the oscillating movement of the cylinder, at the end of which the pistou-rod is again at the-extreme of its thrust, with the trolley nearest the mast of the crane.

To return the trolley along the gibway to its outer position thereon, the controllingvalve F is shifted to a reverse position upon its seat. This reverse shift causes the supplyto pass from the valve-chest to the cylinder by pipe 6 instead of by pipe 0, asbefore, while the latterpipe now assumes the function of a discharge-conduit, and so continues during the return-oscillation of the cylinder. For the first halfof such return the ports and pipes through which the motive agent circulates will be in substantial relation severally as last detailed, the only difference being that because of the change in function of the pipes c e the circulation of the agent will be reversed, those parts the various parts will be readily understood.

by those skilled in the art from what has already been set iorth in detail, without need of fuller explanation, and it will be equally clear that by reason thereof the piston head and rod will make one complete reciprocation during the return-oscillation of the cylinder, shifting the trolley along the ways and bringing it at on the dead-point of its trunnion-valves, or

should the acquired momentum be at times insufficient to carry the cylinder past such point, a supplemental mechanism is provided, the object of which is to overcome the difficulty by turning the cylinder in its bearing at the point named far enough to uncover the ordinary supply and discharge portsal ready described, so that these may perform their functions'and effect the desired oscillation of the cylinder.

Conveniently mounted across the head of the main cylinder E is the supplemental cylinder H, its piston (shown in dotted lines) being provided with a piston'rod, h, extending through both ends of the cylinder,and preferably carrying at its terminals the rollers or wheels h. Each of these latter is designed to contact with its corresponding cani-plate, h h, said plates being of reverse incline, as shown, and rising at opposite points from the covers of the trunnion journal-boxes, or otherwise secured in positiomas may be preferred.

Pipes h h" connect with ports near opposite ends ofthe cylinder H,and lead thence to openings in the trunnions c, said openings at about the dead-point of oscillation being coincident with small ports in thetrunnion-valves 6 0 respectively. It'thesupply of themotive agentis coming through the pipe 6 and trunnion-valve c to the cylinder, it is obvious that upon reaching the dead-point in course of oscillation the E to turn gradually upon its trunnions until the main ports of such cylinder can come into play and the oscillation thus proceed as desired. \Vhilethesupplementalcylinderisbeing supplied from val re 0" by the pipe h" the eduction-port of said cylinder for the time being is established in communication with the main outlet-valve 0 through the pipe h".

To impart to the main cylinder E a reverse movement about its dead-point, it is merely necessary to shift the controlling-valve F so that the supply shall pass through pipe (2 and trunnion-valve 6, instead of through the pipe 6" and valve 0', as above assumed. In such situation the pipe 7r conducts the motive agent to the cylinder H, shifting the piston to the opposite end thereof, and bringing the com panion roll h of the piston-rod in contact with the cam-plate 71F, to rcversely oscillate the cylinder E. At the same time the waste-escape from cylinder H is through pipe 71", and so to the trunnion-valve c and pipe 0'. Obviously, by the means detailed it ispossible to shift the main cylinder in either direction from the dead-point far enough to restore its operatingports to proper position with respect to the t1'unnioirval\-es.

The particulzn' construction of trunnionvalves described, though effective in operation, is not an essential of theinvention. Any other like kind of valve usual in oscillating engines may be employed to regulate the feed and escape of the motive agent. It is obvious, also, that in lieu of the pipes which lead from the trunnions to the ends of the cylinder there may be channels or duets formed in like relation directly in the body of the cylinder itself. The cylinder may be supported and swing from beneath the gib, instead of overhead, as shown.

For some purposes, instead of being mounted upon a crane-gib, the apparatus may be set in position to shift a car or carriage to and fro along a permanent railway, or, again, to shift a boat or lighter along the slipor water channel of a freight-dock.

Not restricting myself, therefore, to the p re eise details, and having thus described the invention, what I claim as new, and desireto secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In shifting apparatus, the combination, with the oscillating cylinder and the supply and discharge pi pes therefor, ofthe val ve mechanism to control said pipes, the reciprocating piston, and the travel ing carrier operated thereby, substantially as described.

2. In shifting apparatus, the combination, with the oscillating cylinder havingtrunnionvalves and supply and discharge pipes leading therefrom, ot" the controllingvalve mechanism forsaid pipes, the operatingpiston, and the traveling carrier, substantially as de scribed.

3. In shifting apparatus, the combination, with the oscillating cylinder and with the supply and discharge pipes therefor, of the valve mechanism to control said pipes, the reciprocating piston, the traveling carriage, and the ways to sustain the same, substantially as de scribed.

41-. In shifting apparatus, the combination, with the oscillating cylinder having trunnionvalves and supply and discharge pipes leading therefrom, of the controlling-valve mechanism for said pipes, the operating-piston, the traveling carriage, and the ways to sustain the same, substantially as described.

In shifting apparatus, the combination, with the crane gib, of the oscillating cylinder supported therefrom, the supply and discharge pipes therefor, the valve mechanism to control said pipes, the reciprocating piston, and the traveling carriage sustained by said gib, substantially as described.

6;" In shifting apparatus, the combination, with the crane-gib and with the oscillating cylindersupported therefrom, and having suitable trunnion-valves and supply and discharge pipes therefor, of the valve mechanism to control said pipes, the reciprocating piston, and the traveling carriage sustained by said crane-gib, substantially as described.

7. In shifting apparatus, the combination, with the mast A and gib B, of the trolley O, the standards D, the oscillating cylinder E, supported therefrom and having trunnionvalves 0 c, the supp] y and discharge pipes e e', the controlling-valve, the conduits e c e e", and the pistoxrrod G i, substantially as described.

8. The combination, with the oscillating cylinder and its trunnion-valves, of the supplemental cylinder mounted upon said main cylinder and in communication with said valves, the piston-rod for said supplemental cylinder, and the cam-like inclines to contact with said rod, substantially as described.

9. In shifting apparatus, the combination, with the traveling carriage, the ways therefor, the piston-rod, the oscillating cylinder and its trunnion-valves, of the supplemental cylinder mounted upon said main oscillating cylinder and in communication by conduits h" h" with the valves thereof, the piston-rod. h of said supplemental cylinder having the rollers 71 and the cam-plates 7e? 7:,substantiall y as described.

10. The combination, with the oscillating cylinder having trunnion-valves and supply and discharge pipes leading therefrom, of the valve mechanism to control said pipes, and the companion conduits communicating with the trunnion-valves and with the opposite ends of the cylinder, respectively, substalr tially as described.

11. The combination, with the oscillating cylinder having trl'innion-valves and suitable supply and discharge orifices therefor, of the companion conduits communicating with the trunniouvalves and with the opposite ends of the cylinder, respeetivel y, substantially as described.

JOHN A. POTTER.

Vitnesses:

JAMES H. PEIROE, R. Fonsv'rn'.

thereof to reverse the direction of flow through said pipes.

It is hereby certified that in Letters Patent No. 350,444, granted October 5, 1886, upon the application of John A. Potter, of Chicago, Illinois, for an improvement in Shifting Apparatus, errors'appear in the printed specification requiring correction, as follows: On page 1, line 63, the word this should read the and on page 4, after line 28, the following paragraph, to wit: In the foregoing description and in the claims following it will be observed that the terms controlling valve mechanism and valve mechanism to control are used synonymously, that is, said terms are used indifferently to designate one and the same mechanism. Such mechanism serves to regulate the flow of the motive agent through the feed and discharge pipes, and upon reverse shift So employed, the terms specified distinguish said mechanism from the trunnion valves which, in the form shown, do not act to reverse the course of the agent through the feed and discharge pipes,

should have been inserted; and that the Letters Patent should be read with these correc" tions therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed, countersigned, and sealed this 26th day of October, A. D. 1886.

[SEAL] H. L. MULDROW,

' Acting Secretary of the Interior. Oountersigned B. B. VANCE,

Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

